Sleep and Wakefulness

Sleep and wakefulness are factors that contribute greatly to our state of health. As long as a person is awake, he is involved in some form of exertion which creates heat and burns energy. In turn, this energy needs to be replenished. To some extent, the body can replenish this energy through digesting food. However, the most natural and simple way for the body to retain and restore energy is through sleeping which is vitally necessary for the body.

This can be understood through the example of a person who eats and drinks, but does not sleep at all. Despite eating and drinking, he will eventually become totally exhausted and overcome by fatigue. Hence, it is clear that there is no replacement for sleep.

Conversely, if a person sleeps too much, his body will become weak and lazy and his muscles will become stiff. This is commonly seen in people who are bedridden. Their bodies become stiff and lose their elasticity, and if their posture is not changed, bed sores, etc., begin to set in.

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Hazelnut and Raspberry Meringue Cake

A delicious summer cake.

Lightly toast 140g of skinned hazelnuts. Grind them to a powder taking care not to let them become oily.

Whisk 4 egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gradually add in 250g of castor sugar.

Mix in ½ tsp of vanilla essence and ½ tsp of vinegar.

Gently fold in the ground hazelnuts.

Line 2 sandwich pans with baking paper.

Empty the batter into the pans and smooth.

Bake on 180 degrees celcius for 30-40 minutes.

Whip 300ml of fresh cream with 3 Tbsp icing sugar.

Lightly crush 2-3 cups of fresh raspberries with sugar as needed.

Sandwich the cool cake with half of the cream and berries. Top with the other half. Refrigerate until serving.

The cake should be eaten on the day that it's assembled.

The Map of Marriage

Any intelligent person undertaking a very long journey – through a route which he has not travelled before – will ensure that he makes adequate preparations before he departs. He will seek advice and directions and will make enquiries regarding the road and what to expect. After making all the appropriate preparations and taking all the necessary advice and directions, he will most likely carry a GPS to guide him along the way and prevent him from taking any wrong turns.

Marriage is also a journey. However, the journey of marriage is meant to last a lifetime. It takes one through different terrains and past various sceneries. While it may generally be smooth sailing, like a luxury car on an open freeway, there are sometimes the odd and unexpected gravel patches. While the route may mainly usher one past gardens, rivers, waterfalls and rolling seas, it does also sometimes lead one through dry and quiet deserts. If the traveller keeps his eye on the road and focuses on his destination, he will insha-Allah safely pass through all the hills and valleys as well as gardens and deserts.

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“Game Over”

Playing is a natural activity for a child and is even important for the correct, healthy development of a child. For a child, playing is not merely a pastime. Rather, it is a developmental and educational process through which the child learns many basic principles such as cause and effect, effort and reward, etc. It is due to the process of playing being such an effective medium of education that teachers seek to capitalize on playing and use it to engage the students in games through which they will be educated in a subtle yet definite and enjoyable manner.

However, since the world has taken the route of technology, the nature of ‘the game’ has changed. Now, games are seldom played on fields and in backyards. Rather, the computer, tablet and phone screen has become the new field of play, and once the game begins, players become glued to the screen.

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Macarons

Yes, it is possible to make these at home!

Whisk 60g of egg whites (from 2 eggs) till soft peaks form.

Gradually add 75g of castor sugar. Whisk till firm peaks form.

Sift 100g of icing sugar and 75g of almond flour.

Fold the sifted icing sugar and almond flour into your egg whites together with a few drops of colouring.

Remember that the macarons will be lighter in colour after baking.

Continue folding until the batter falls off your spatula in a thick ribbon.

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